Arup joins Habitat for Humanity to build homes for women and children in need

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Trish Sunga Trish Sunga Australasia Press Office,Sydney
19 March 2019

Arup volunteers in Australia, Singapore and New Zealand have stepped up to renovate housing and shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness.

In Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Singapore, Sydney and Auckland, our volunteers joined the ‘Homes of Hope’ project, and related events, which were organised by non-profit Habitat for Humanity in recognition of International Women’s Day.

The activities were to help women and children made homeless due to domestic and family violence, as well as helping ‘women-headed households’.

Habitat for Humanity International Women's Day project Habitat for Humanity International Women's Day project
Arup volunteers in Australia, Singapore and New Zealand have stepped up to renovate housing and shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness.

According to Habitat for Humanity Australia, one in four women in Australia are reported to have experienced physical and/or emotional abuse at the hands of their partner. The figure is one in three women worldwide.

The homes provide a clean, safe and well-maintained place for women leaving abusive relationships, as well as respite for single mothers dealing with the stress of raising a family and earning an income.

“What this project means is that when women leave our crisis services and come into this transitional accommodation, they are moving into a lovely fresh home. It feels like a fresh start for them… it gives them the opportunity to live somewhere clean and nice while they get on their feet,” says Tracey Philips, Executive Officer at Bonnie’s Support Services, NSW, a recipient organisation.

“

In recognition of International Women's Day, our people made themselves available to help: it was our largest project so far for Habitat for Humanity. I think that says something about the strength of compassion within people at Arup and their feelings towards domestic violence and gender inequality. We have to remember that this issue impacts on individuals, our communities and the workplace too - people do not switch off from their personal lives just because they are at work. We support our people with this issue at work, but it’s heartening to see so many support this privately too. ” Peter Chamley Peter Chamley Former Chair, Australasia Region

 

 

The Community Engagement programme at Arup funds participation, with volunteers giving their own time too.

Habitat for Humanity Australia is a strategic partner of the programme in Arup’s Australasia region.

Internally, Arup proactively supports gender equality through its Diversity and Inclusion strategy.